The Supreme Court on October 26, 2026, assured that voters in Maharashtra will not face prosecution for filing Form 6 after their names were deleted. A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard how thousands in Mumbai and Pune got marked absent due to ongoing home development projects there.
Supreme Court assures no deleted voters will be prosecuted for submitting Form 6 left A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was informed that thousands of voters were marked absent in Mumbai and Pune because of the home development projects in these cities. File image for representational purposes. ANI Anil Shiinde https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/rt7hqd/article71626098.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/20260723534L.jpg ANI Thane, Jul 23 (ANI): An official receives SIR electoral roll form during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll form submission two-day camp at Gawand Baug, in Thane on Thursday. (ANI Photo)
The oral observations came during a hearing in which the court agreed to urgently take up in November 5, a plea challenging the deletion of voters in the Maharashtra SIR
NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court on Monday (October 26, 2026) orally assured that no voter whose name was deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Maharashtra will face prosecution for merely applying for re-registration in the electoral roll by filing Form 6.
SIR: Deletions go up in Phase 3 with more marked as 'Shifted' or 'Absent' storyline 1
The oral observations came during a hearing in which the court agreed to urgently take up in November 5, a plea challenging the deletion of voters in the Maharashtra SIR.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was informed that thousands of voters were marked absent in Mumbai and Pune because of the home development projects in these cities.
Maharashtra SIR: Why are more than 2.07 crore enumeration forms 'uncollected'? | Explained Maharashtra SIR: Why are more than 2.07 crore enumeration forms 'uncollected'? | Explained It is to be noted that August 17 is not the final deadline. The first draft of the electoral roll will be published on August 24 and citizens will be allowed to raise claims and objections between August 24 to September 23 Maharashtra SIR: Why are more than 2.07 crore enumeration forms 'uncollected'? | Explained storyline 1
"Old residential buildings are undergoing redevelopment for new flats. As a result, residents are shifted out. They number in thousands. They are all found to be marked absent in the SIR and later deleted from the electoral roll," senior advocate Arvind Datar, foe petitioner Arun Anantagiri, submitted.
He said there were 3,500 such redevelopment projects in Mumbai and 1,500 in Pune.
At sixes and sevens, the ECI's growing credibility crisis At sixes and sevens, the ECI's growing credibility crisis The Election Commission of India's actions and questions around Forms 6 and 7 deepen doubts about its impartiality and transparency At sixes and sevens, the ECI's growing credibility crisis opinion 1
Mr. Dattar also pointed out that deleted voters are being compelled to submit Form 6 (application to register as a new voter) and represent themselves as fresh voters.
"Pre-existing voters misrepresenting themselves as fresh voters is an offence and liable for prosecution," Mr. Datar submitted.
"Do not worry. Nobody will be prosecuted," Chief Justice Kant responded orally.
The ECI's unfinished lessons The ECI's unfinished lessons While the ECI need not accept every allegation made by political parties, constitutional authority cannot substitute for verifiable evidence The ECI's unfinished lessons storyline 1
Mr. Datar said new Form should be notified exclusively for deleted voters in the SIR.
He noted that October 26 was the final date for filing claims and objections regarding the draft electoral roll while seeking a short date for hearing.
